Iona Scharpe

Iona Scharpe entered eternal rest on Thursday, December 29, 2016 at the Arlington Good Samaritan Society at the age of 89 years, 3 months, and 11 days. Blessed be her memory. Funeral service will be at 11:00 a.m., Tuesday, January 3, 2017 at Zion Lutheran Church in Arlington. Rev. Deborah Dawson will officiate. Visitation will be 4:00 - 7:00 p.m. on Monday at Zion Lutheran Church and will continue one hour prior to service time Tuesday at the church. Interment will be in the Glencoe City Cemetery in Glencoe. Iona Gladys Scharpe was born on September 18, 1927 in New Auburn Twp, Minnesota to Leonard and Elsie (Grack) Bulau. Iona was baptized into Christ on October 9, 1927 at Zion Lutheran Church, rural Arlington, MN by Rev. W. Schlachtenhaufen. She was confirmed in the Christian faith on April 6, 1941 by Rev. Wm. Striepe at Zion Lutheran Church, rural Arlington. On March 4, 1945, Iona was united in marriage to Clarence Scharpe at Zion Lutheran Church, New Auburn Twp. Their marriage was blessed with six children, Donald, James, Neil, Steven, Kathleen, and Jane. Clarence and Iona farmed in New Auburn Twp in Sibley County until 1977 when they moved to a hobby farm just west of Arlington. In spring of 2000, they moved into a twin home in Arlington. Iona was able to remain in her twin home even after Clarence moved to the Arlington Good Samaritan Center in May of 2014. Clarence passed away on May 6, 2016 after 71 years of marriage to Iona. In August of 2016, Iona moved to Fairview Assisted Living, Arlington followed by a move to Arlington Good Samaritan a few weeks later. Iona was known to many in the area as a very talented seamstress. She sewed many bridesmaid and prom dresses and altered wedding dresses, as well as made alterations and repairs to just about any item brought to her as long as it was made of fabric. In her spare time, she liked to do embroidery and crewel work. Iona enjoyed cooking and baking and was known for her ability to bake wonderful homemade bread and buns. Iona always had a big garden before moving into town. She enjoyed visiting with and cooking for her family and friends. She and Clarence also loved to dance and travel. Clarence & Iona spent many weekends at their cabin on Clearwater Lake near Annandale. Iona was a life-long member of Zion Lutheran Church, Arlington. She and Clarence regularly attended worship as long as they were physically able. They were instrumental in the moving Zion Lutheran Church from rural Arlington to its current location in the city of Arlington. Iona and Clarence set a fine example of the importance of clinging to faith in God and also the importance of hard work and moving forward in faith even in difficult times. Iona was preceded in death by her husband, Clarence; son, Donald Scharpe; parents, Leonard and Elsie Bulau; Brother and sister-in-law, Roy and Lorenda Bulau; Sister and brother-in-law, Lucille and Ellsworth Henke; Parents-in-law, Gustav and Minnie Scharpe; Sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law, Frieda Scharpe, Gertrude and Frank Ellig, Alma and Harold Grack, Irene and Helmuth Hoops, Meta Frauendienst, Herbert and Clara Scharpe, Ernest and Iona Scharpe, Willard and Lillian Scharpe, Leslie and Dorothy Scharpe. Iona is survived by sons and daughters-in-law, James and Myrna Scharpe of Arlington, MN, Neil and Jo Lynne Scharpe of Minot, ND, Steven and Cindy Scharpe of Green Isle, MN; Daughters and son-in-law, Kathleen and Brian Oelfke of Hamburg, MN, Jane Scharpe and Dave Brey of Green Isle, MN; 15 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren; Brother-in-law, Martin Frauendienst.

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